Authorities are praising the behaviour of duck-shooters after an opening weekend free of incident in Otago.
More than 4000 shooters were out on the region's waterways and wetlands for the opening weekend of the duck-shooting season, Otago Fish & Game Council operations manager Ian Hadland said.
Despite fine weather, bag numbers were good as was behaviour and compliance.
Only four offenders were caught by rangers, with two shooters caught with lead shot and two caught without a firearms licence.
The four were issued with offence notices and had their firearms seized.
''The behaviour of hunters was excellent and there was a very high level of compliance,'' he said.
''Four offenders all up out of that many hunters, that's a pretty good hit rate.
''There seems to be a trend of improving compliance in Otago but there is always one or two blokes who just don't get organised in time and take risks.''
Five teams of rangers were out on opening morning.
No issues with bag limits or intoxication were reported either, he said.
''[There were] no major safety incidents over the weekend in Otago to our knowledge.
''[It] looks like everyone has come home safe which is great.''
Fine weather presented frustrations for some shooters who were not able to take full advantage of the high number of birds.
''Cripes, this must be the 10th year in a row it's been like this,'' Mr Hadland said.
''Hunters need a good breeze and low cloud to keep the birds lower and within range, and instead it was a glorious day, especially in Central Otago.
''The benign weather conditions didn't stop well-prepared hunters doing well.
''I saw some limit bags [25 each] of mallards shot in the Tapanui area and there were a few very good bags shot around Milton and in Poolburn and the Ida Valley.
''Everyone got a few which was great.''
Many hunters were also treated to the weekend's meteor shower in the sky during their pre-dawn preparations, Mr Hadland said.
A police spokeswoman said officers monitoring opening weekend reported no issues in the Southern district.
